The Legendary Navajo Code Talkers
Posted by: leadhiker
N 35° 40.876 W 109° 02.964
12S E 676517 N 3950350
During W.W. II the Navajo Language was developed into the most successful military code of all time. Thanks to the 29 Navajos who created the code. This enabled the Navajo Marines to communicate military coded messages.
Waymark Code: WMBPN9
Location: Arizona, United States
Date Posted: 06/10/2011
Views: 17
The Legendary Navajo Code Talkers
During World War II, in the South Pacific Theater, the Japanese were extremely proficient at breaking into military radio communications and transmissions. Thus they were able to decipher U.S. Military codes. The U.S. Armed forces needed to find a secure method of communication if they were to have any chance of defeating a clever and intelligent foe. To counter the cleverness of the Japanese cryptographers, 29 Navajo Marines were recruited to devise a secret military code using their native language. By war's end, there were over 400 Navajo Marines serving as code talkers and the code vocabulary had doubled. So successful was this innovative code that the Marine Corps commanders credited it with saving the lives of countless American Marines and soldiers. It enabled their successful engagements throughout the Pacific Theater which included the battles for Guadalcanal, Wake Island, Tarawa, Saipan, Guam, Midway, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. The code paved the way to early victory for the allied forces in the South Pacific. Major Howard M. Conner, 5th Marine Division Signal Officer stationed on Iwo Jima, commented on the gallantry of the Navajo Code Talkers: "Were it not for the Navajos, the Marines would not have taken Iwo Jima."
Far From their homes, these brave young Navajo Marines served our nation with honor and dignity. The tale of their exploits remained a closely guarded secret for decades in the event that the Navajo Code Talkers unique talents would be needed again. In 1968 the Navajo code was finally declassified. In July 2001, at the National Capital Rotunda, United States President, the honorable George W. Bush, awarded the Congressional Gold Medals to the first 29 Navajo Code Talkers, their surviving spouses or children. In November of 2001 at the Navajo Nation capital of Window Rock Arizona, the Congressional Silver Medals were awarded to the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers, their surviving spouses or children. Sadly, many of the Navajo Code Talkers have passed on never knowing of the honor a grateful nation has bestowed upon them. The Navajo Code Talkers will never be forgotten.
Dine' Bizaad Yee Atah Naayee' Yik'eh Deesdlii
Property Permission: Public
Access instructions: This park near the Navajo Nation Administration Center
Access times: From: 8:00 AM To: 5:00 PM
Website for Waymark: [Web Link]
Location of waymark: WINDOW ROCK TRIBAL PARK & VETERAN'S MEMORIAL Window Rock, AZ USA 86515
Commemoration: Navajo Code Talkers
Date of Dedication: Not listed
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